GIRDWOOD, AK, USA
N4280Z
PIPER PA-18
THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT LANDED UP-SLOPE ON A GLACIER AND WAS TURNING TO TAKEOFF DOWN-SLOPE WHEN TAILWIND AND 10-20 DEGREE SLOPE CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN THROUGH THE DESIRED TAKEOFF HEADING, AND TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS. THE RIGHT SKI DUG INTO THE SNOW, CAUSING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE, AND THE RIGHT WING TO CONTACT THE FROZEN SURFACE. THE CRASH SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 4,400 FEET MSL.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A SLOPED TERRAIN THAT WAS TOO STEEP FOR A SAFE OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNHILL, ICY TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN BOTH HIS AND THE AIRPLANE'S ABILITY..
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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